On 18 June 2015, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by first sitting day of 2016.

Increasing use of so-called Flag of Convenience shipping in Australia.

Submissions should be received by 21 September 2015. The initial reporting date was 2 February 2016. On 2 February 2016, the Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until 25 February 2016. On 22 February 2016, the Senate granted an extension of time for reporting until 22 June 2016. On 9 May 2016, the inquiry lapsed with the dissolution of the Senate and House of Representatives for a general election on 2 July 2016. On 15 September 2016 the Senate agreed to re-refer the inquiry with a reporting date of 19 July 2017.

Submissions and additional information received are available on the inquiry webpage.